Patna: A series of recent raids has thrown Bihar’s prison administration into turmoil, exposing what officials describe as a long-running “hidden system” of illicit privileges, smuggled goods and staff collusion. The state government has launched a wide-ranging review after mobile phones and cash were recovered during a joint inspection by the district magistrate and superintendent of police at Chanawe divisional jail in Gopalganj on December 2.
The operation followed a surprise statewide search on November 29, which first pointed to an organised network operating across multiple facilities. Internal reports are now said to identify individuals allegedly involved in enabling the flow of contraband and preferential treatment for inmates.
The Prison and Correctional Services Inspectorate has placed more than two dozen employees under investigation in its preliminary findings. Officials suspect a pattern stretching from sub-jails to divisional prisons, with frontline staff allegedly playing a central role. Bihar’s deputy chief minister and home minister, Samrat Choudhary, has warned that no one in the system — whether detainee or officer — will be considered above the law.
Records show that malpractice within the prison service is longstanding. In recent weeks, Bettiah assistant jail superintendent Mithilesh Kumar was suspended over allegations of transporting contraband, while Bhagalpur deputy jail superintendent Akhilesh Kumar was removed for allegedly leaking sensitive information linked to undertrial inmate Naeem Mian. Since January 2024, disciplinary action has been taken against 118 officials, including 44 this year.
Following the latest raids, the inspectorate’s vigilance wing has been fully mobilised and is working with the state Vigilance Department to probe the entire chain of operations — from visitation procedures to financial irregularities. Senior officials say significant action is expected in the coming days, with the prospect of suspensions, departmental inquiries and punitive proceedings for those found culpable.
According to government data, Bihar operates seven central jails, 30 district jails and 17 sub-jails, housing a combined population of 50,107 inmates.
